Peace from Western Zouter: We will mobilize our efforts for  Israel's withdrawal

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed on  Wednesday (July 22nd) from the western town of Zoutar, the day after the deployment of the Lebanese army there, that Beirut will continue to "mobilize" all efforts to secure a full Israeli withdrawal from the south of the country, in accordance with the framework agreement signed by the two countries.

After planting the Lebanese flag in the western square of Zoutar, which he arrived in the morning with an escort from the army, Salam said: "We will continue to mobilize all our political and diplomatic efforts in order to secure the complete withdrawal from all Lebanese territory."

Salam added in his speech from the western region: "In parallel with the completion of the deployment of the army, we will continue to open the roads, remove rubble, and provide basic services, allowing our people to return safely and dignifiedly to their homes and villages."

Army continues to deploy in Western Zuter

The Lebanese army on Tuesday began deploying to the western town of Zoutar, one of the "test zones," under the framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel under the auspices of the United States last month.

The Israeli army was stationed on the outskirts of the town in the Nabatieh area and still maintains its forces in several nearby towns.

The Lebanese army denounced Israeli forces firing close to its members during their deployment, while the Israeli army said it fired "warning shots in the air" after Lebanese soldiers entered an area that was not "part of the test zone."

Under the framework agreement, the Lebanese army, after deploying in the "test zones," is supposed to disarm Hezbollah and prohibit any military presence of any group outside the government forces, which would be a test of a gradual Israeli withdrawal from other areas.

More than 700,000 displaced people have returned to their homes in recent weeks, according to the United Nations, out of a total of more than a million who fled their areas following the outbreak of the war between Hezbollah and Israel.

Berri: The Lesson in the Ceasefire and Withdrawals

Lebanese Speaker of the House of Representatives Nabih Berri stressed that what is important now after the summit of US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington is "the results on the ground, not just the way they appeared." 

In his remarks on Wednesday, July 22, Berri said,  "The lesson after this meeting is the consolidation of the ceasefire and withdrawals, which has not happened so far," pointing out that "the withdrawal that was carried out from the western town of Zutar on Monday is hardly a withdrawal, as the town is very small and was not fully occupied, and criminal bombing operations against houses, civilian neighborhoods and infrastructures continue, and attacks on residents on the outskirts of the occupied villages continue."

Berri believes that the success of this summit will be through the achievement of these steps, adding: "I said earlier that they made achievements and fell on my eyes... This has not happened yet."

Berri comments on Trump's statement

Asked about his impression of the US president's remarks, he said that Berri would join the track when he saw the progress of the agreement, he said with a laugh: "President Trump seems to understand me better than some of the Lebanese."

The Trump-Aoun meeting dealt with the position of Lebanese Speaker of the House of Representatives Nabih Berri, after Aoun was asked about reports that he rejected the agreement, describing it as potentially leading to internal strife.

Aoun replied that the framework agreement does not need the approval of parliament, noting that the constitution gives the president the authority to conclude it, adding , "President Berri is a statesman and hails from southern Lebanon, and he is aware of the extent of the destruction he is subjected to, and he wants to see an end to the war, although he is required to take into account the sensitivity of his position and his relationship with Hezbollah.

Trump said he had heard that Berri was "a good person and a good man," and expressed confidence that he would join the track when he saw the progress of the deal.